The Bellefontaine City Council met in regular session Tuesday night and unanimously approved a resolution honoring former Bellefontaine Parks Superintendent Kris Myers. Myers, who passed suddenly in December of 2025, will be honored at Harmon Field.
As previously reported on peakofohio.com, the Bellefontaine Joint Recreation District Board of Trustees approved a resolution requesting the council rename Harmon Field ‘The Kristopher Myers Recreation Complex at Harmon Field.’ In the meeting, Service Safety Director Wes Dodds and City Law Director Josh Stolly spoke in favor of honoring Myers at the park while maintaining the legacy of Harmon Field.
Dodds made the following statement during the meeting:
“I’ll be candid. This issue is personal to me. When I first heard that there questions about the proposal to name the improvements at Harmon Field in honor of Kris Myers, I was confused a little upset. Kris Myers was a friend, a colleague, and someone I respected tremendously. I had the privilege of working alongside him for many years, and I saw firsthand his passion for Bellefontaine’s parks, our community, and the people who use them. Because of that relationship, I know I bring my own perspective to this discussion. Over the last several days, I’ve listened to residents, council members, and others share what Harmon Field means to them. While I may not agree with every viewpoint that has been expressed, I’ve spent a great deal of time reflecting on why people feel so strongly about this issue. The truth is, I don’t know what Harmon Field means to every person in the city – or even in this room. I haven’t lived their lives, had their experiences, or created the memories they created there. And just as I cannot fully understand their perspective, it would be unfair for me to expect them to fully understand mine. As I’ve listened and reflected, I’ve come to understand that for many people, this discussion is less about a name and more about a place. It’s about memories, traditions, friendships, and moments that became part of their lives. Those feelings are real, and they deserve to be respected. For me, this discussion is also about a man I knew personally. It’s about someone who dedicated decades of his life to improving Bellefontaine’s parks, creating a vision for their future, and ensuring that future generations would have places to play, gather, and belong. Those feelings are real too. One thing I’ve come to appreciate through this discussion is that many of the strong feelings surrounding this issue are not really about a name. They are about people wanting to know that the things they care about are being heard and respected. Whether it’s a lifelong connection to Harmon Field, a desire to honor Kris Myers, or simply wanting to have a voice in decisions that affect our community, I think there is a common thread running through all of it: people care deeply about this place. As I’ve reflected on this issue, I’ve come to believe that this does not need to be a choice between preserving what people love about Harmon Field and honoring Kris Myers. I believe we can and should do both. Those who want to preserve Harmon Field are trying to protect something that has meaning in their lives. Those who are working to honor Kris are trying to recognize a man who devoted much of his life to making Bellefontaine better. Those goals are not incompatible. As we consider this issue, my hope is that we do so with respect, understanding, and grace toward one another. The memories people have of this place are important. The man we are trying to honor is important. Neither is well served if this conversation becomes divisive or disrespectful. My hope is that the name contained in the legislation before you this evening, Harmon Field Home of the Kristopher Myers Recreation Complex accomplishes both of those goals: preserving the connection so many people have to Harmon Field while also creating a lasting tribute to Kris Myers and the contributions he made to our community. If we can accomplish that, then we will have honored not only the past, but also the future of this community. And perhaps most importantly, we will have done so in a way that reflects the very best of who we are as a community. Thank you.”
Bellefontaine City Ward 2 council member Jordan Reser, who is also the council liaison with the Joint Recreation District, proposed amending the original resolution to read ‘Harmon Field Home of the Kristopher Myers Recreation Complex.’
Reser spoke about the change to the resolution:
In other council action, Mayor David Crissman asked the council for help in cleaning up Blue Jacket Park on Saturday, July 4, after the fireworks show and festivities on July 3. Mayor Crissman also thanked the various city departments that participated in and helped with the recent Memorial Day parade.
Service Safety Director Dodds also informed the council that he has been in discussions with City Engineer Jim Bischoff about planning improvements to mitigate flooding that has recently plagued the city. Dodds also praised the Street Department for their recent work at Lot Three in the city, specifically patching broken asphalt, recurbing, and pulling shrubbery.
Parks Superintendent Rick Reed updated the council about initiatives at local parks to bring more kids into the parks. He said that the Children of God group has been hosting kids at Rutan Park, and several other groups are volunteering their time to engage with kids at the different city parks. Reed said that while they were meeting, the Bellefontaine High School football team was at Rutan Park.
During committee reports, Rules Committee Chair Jenna James informed the council that the rules committee will be meeting in the near future, and the committee hopes to have legislation governing the operation of golf carts within the city crafted by either the second June meeting (June 23rd) or the first July meeting (July 14th).
In the legislative portion of the meeting, a small amount of legislation was considered:
For First Reading:
- 26-28 – An ordinance making supplemental appropriations and amending the Permanent Appropriations ordinance for purposes of parks. Ordinance passed on first reading only.
- R26-29 – A resolution by the Council of the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio, honoring Kristopher Myers for his many years of service and dedication to the city and in honor thereof, naming the newly improved recreation complex at Harmon Field the ‘Kristopher Myers Recreation Complex at Harmon Field.’ Council member Jordan Reser proposed amending the name to be ‘Harmon Field, Home of the Kristopher Myers Recreation Complex.’ Motion to amend the resolution passed unanimously. Resolution passed unanimously.
For Second Reading:
- none
For Third Reading:
- 26-22 – An ordinance making supplemental appropriations and amending the Permanent Appropriations Ordinance for purposes of capital equipment at Myeerah. Ordinance passed.
The next meeting of the Bellefontaine City Council will be held on June 23, 2026, at 7:30 PM in council chambers.
